Conference hydra::dejavu

    In Charles Fort's fascinating books, he recounts seemingly endless
    cases where animals have rained from the sky;  rains of toads,
    fish, snails, and of course cats and dogs...
    
    As I kid I spent a long time wondering how the same species of fresh
    water fish could ever have evolved in geographically separated river
    basins.   I mean, they can't swim in the ocean, so how did the same
    species of trout get to both sides of the continental divide?
    
    AH-HA!  The streams were stocked by fish falling out of the sky!!
    
    							Alan.

    RE .0
    	I like the way Joseph Campbell put it in his book 'Myths to
    Live By'. He expressed a sadness (hint of anger) about closed
    belief systems that teach things like 'the way it is written
    here is the way it is, period. Anything else is just plain
    wrong'. He was making a comparison to science which has the
    wonderfull ability to say 'we just dont know'.
    							-Larry

    RE .0
       I agree with your line of thinking, completely.  The problem with
    these "How-do-I-know?-The-Bible-tells-me-so" people is; that they
    continue to forget (0r ignore) the *Fact* that the Bible has been
    translated so many times, with additions, deletions, and
    interpretations  of the translators.  Yes, it is a *Good* guide for
    day-to-day living, but it is not the *Singular* commentary on the
    evolution of mankind.  Let me reiterate the fact that I am not 
    ridiculing Bible Toting people, or their beliefs; I am just pointing
    out, "Let's keep an open mind, folks!"
    
    -Dave A.
    
    P.S.  I am fairly new to this notesfile, however, I have read many of
    the preceeding notes, and I know what *can* happen when religion is
    mentioned in this file.  I am not putting down anyone's faith here!
    
    and 

     Well, I guess I'm what you would call a bible people (smile).
                                        
     I believe that creation is still happening.  I don't believe that
    God spoke the word and a bunch of fish, animals, ETC. fell out of
    the sky.  I believe, that when God said "Let there be", it was
    classified as being already done, although it's not seen by the
    naked eye.  Tomarrow is a part of creation, that's done, but not
    seen, until WE reach tomarrow/if we make it until tomarrow ( it's
    not promised). One day to us, is like a thousand years to God; so,
    I believe it took a little time.
    
    FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPE FOR, THE EVIDENTS OF THINGS
    NOT SEEN!
    
    LORENZO
    

    May I assume that .0 is somewhat inspred by the recent NOVA
    episode??  It was my impression that the oposition to the
    teaching of evolution was from a small subset of "organized
    religion" rather than organized religion as a whole.  I
    believe that many belief systems (religions, for this purpose
    are one set of belief systems) will lead to the same sort
    of dogmatic behavior.
    
    (I omit examples, as that would rouse more argument than
    would be useful.)  Note that "science" is sometimes guilty of
    the same sort of behaviour...
    thanks
    dave pierson

         .5...I liked the way you said that. [smile]
         
         I think [my opinion only...] that it all revolves
         around words like "faith" and "belief". The radicalism
         with which you react to *threats* [defined by the
         person reacting] to a belief structure is determined
         by the rigidity of the *belief* itself.
         
         If one ascribes to a belief structure that suggests
         certain behaviors will create a better life for you
         and yours...but does not preclude *other* behaviors
         as being capable of doing the same....then being
         subjected to [and having your children subjected
         to] differing beliefs is not all that threatening.
         
         If on the other hand, one ascribes to a belief structure
         that is *exclusive* of other behavior patterns, then
         the *threat* becomes of much greater importance.
         
         And, of course, it is *so* difficult to discuss belief
         and value systems. Since the whole point of a belief
         system is to "socialize" members into "living" the
         tenants of the belief...it is nearly impossible to
         remove yourself far enough to be *objective* instead
         of *subjective*...one has studied the leaves too
         long to remember the shape of the trees...
         
         Just my opinion...
         
         Mel

    If the creationists demand that their beliefs must be taught in
    the science classroom, as an alternative to the scientific theory
    of evolution, then shouldn't evolution be taught in the Sunday 
    schools as an alternative to biblical genesis.  

    Re .7:
    
    You merely scratch the surface.  If "creationism" is to be taught,
    whose creationism, pray tell?  The Christian, the Hindu?  The
    Australian Aboriginal?  The Graeco-Roman?  The Norse?
    
    "Teaching creationism" isn't opening a can or worms, it's opening
    a whole boxcarload of 'em.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.